Be A Firebug!

As believers, we are called to follow Jesus. Through the renewing of our mind, reading the Word, prayer, our obedience, and so on, we gradually become more like Him. So what did Jesus say about Himself? Well, one of His many statements was this: “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Jesus consistently linked Himself to God, even saying He only spoke or acted according to the will of the Father. And God Himself is light according to 1 John 1:5! This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

So, if God is light, and Jesus is light, shouldn't we also be light as well? The answer to that is a big Y E S !!! And scripture confirms it: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

Acts 13:47 reads, For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ And Ephesians 5:8 says, For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.

When God’s light illuminates our hearts, we see things more clearly and recognize our sin. In a similar manner, our light sometimes causes strange reactions in others as the light in us counters the darkness in them. So light can be transformative. But I challenge you to do more than dispel the darkness. I challenge you to be a fire starter!

A woman named Dr. Pamela Hardy founded Eagles International Training Institute (EITI) and The Eagles Network (TEN) to equip believers for the work of the Kingdom. She spoke at the recent TEN graduation about firebrands. What is a firebrand, you may ask? The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as 1. a piece of burning wood, and 2. one that creates unrest or strife (as in progressively promoting a cause.)

You may say, “Wait a minute! I don't want to cause strife!” Hold on. We’ll get to that in a minute. Note that first part; a piece of burning wood. If it was just a cold log, setting it on a pile of other wood wouldn't do anything but make a larger pile. But if your piece of wood is burning, the other wood touching it will catch fire too!

Of course, something had to set our burning piece of wood on fire in the first place, right? Spiritually speaking, that something is our relationship with God. In learning your identity and purpose, and obediently walking into your calling, you will become a firebrand for the Kingdom as God Himself sets you aflame! And yes, as you “progressively promote the cause” of the Kingdom, it will agitate the darkness and cause strife for the enemy. Pffft! Hello? Can someone say Amen?

So I encourage you to stay close to the Source, the great I Am. Ensure that your heart (your piece of wood, if you will) stays aflame and so in turn, becomes a firebrand to the world around you!